US imposes more sanctions on Venezuela
PRESSURE UP: The sanctions freeze any assets in the United States by the six security officials as well as US financial dealings with them
WASHINGTON: The United States imposed fresh sanctions on Venezuela on Friday, targeting six Venezuelan government officials tied to President Nicolas Maduro, in its latest move to squeeze the embattled leader.
In a statement, the US Department of Treasury cited the battle over humanitarian assistance and blamed the six current or former security officials, who it said controlled groups that blocked aid from reaching people in the Latin American country.
“We are sanctioning members of Maduro’s security forces in response to the reprehensible violence, tragic deaths, and unconscionable torching of food and medicine destined for sick and starving Venezuelans,” US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said after deadly violence blocked humanitarian aid from reaching the Venezuela over the weekend.
The United States “will continue to target Maduro loyalists prolonging the suffering of the victims of this man-made humanitarian crisis,” Mnuchin added.
Friday’s action is the second set of sanctions this week, after the United States on Monday targeted four Venezuelan state governors allied with Maduro.
Washington on Monday also called on allies to freeze the assets of state-owned oil company PDVSA.
US sanctions block any assets the individuals control in the United States and bars US entities from doing any business or financial transactions with them.
Meanwhile, United States imposed sanctions on Friday on six Venezuelan security officials for obstructing aid that Washington had tried to force in as part of its effort to support the country’s opposition leader against President Nicolas Maduro.
“We are sanctioning members of Maduro’s security forces in response to the reprehensible violence, tragic deaths, and unconscionable torching of food and medicine destined for sick and starving Venezuelans,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.
The six include Major General Richard Jesus Lopez Vargas, the commander of the Venezuelan National Guard, and Jesus Maria Mantilla Oliveros, commander of a unit tasked by Maduro with reinforcing security on the Brazilian border, the Treasury Department said.
The sanctions freeze any assets in the United States by the six security officials as well as US financial dealings with them.
The United States, backed by Colombia and Brazil, last weekend tried to push badly needed aid into the crisis-torn country in coordination with Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom Washington has recognized as interim president.
Venezuelan forces blocked the operation, fearing it was a precursor to an invasion as President Donald Trump has not ruled out the use of force to depose Maduro.
Four people were killed in the ensuing melee and Guaido was stuck outside Venezuela, although he has vowed to return.